Pittsfield COVID-19 Cases Wane But Still Not 'Out of The Woods'

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — COVID-19 cases are declining in the city but it remains in the "red zone."

"While we're going down on the numbers, we're still not where we want to be,” Director of Public Health Andy Cambi said to the Board of Health on Wednesday.

A week ago, the percent positivity rate was 11.5, down from 14.7 in mid-May. The average case rate was 73.1 per 100,000 people, which is significantly less than the rate of 133.3 in mid-May.

Pittsfield entered the red incidence rate for transmission in April when the positivity rate rose to 5.3 percent. This risk category is defined by having equal to or more than 10 average cases per 100,000 and having a five percent or higher positivity rate in a 14-day period.

Berkshire Medical Center currently has six patients who tested positive while there were more than 20 early last month.

There are an estimated 137 actively contagious people this week, down from 376 in mid-May.

Cambi reported that many residents came to the Health Department early last month for free testing kits. With summer vacation soon approaching, the city is providing test kits to its camps and ordering more from the state.

They have also been provided to Pittsfield schools.

Because the at-home tests aren't in the city’s database, Biobot sewage testing was identified as an important tool for having accurate case counts.

Last Tuesday, the testing showed a 7-day average virus concentration of 762.4 copies per liter, down from 1 million in mid-May.

Berkshire Community College Graduates Physical Therapist Assistants

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
10:29AM / Saturday, May 24, 2025

President Ellen Kennedy, program instructors and speakers pose with the graduates. See more photos here.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College graduated six physical therapist assistants during an intimate ceremony on Thursday. 

 

"This is a meaningful and, I hope, memorable evening for you, your families, our healthcare partners, this college, your very proud faculty, and most importantly, your future patients," BCC President Ellen Kennedy said. 

 

"In the years ahead, you will implement plans of care for people who are overjoyed to regain movement, for those coping with diminished capacity, and for others who are angry and grieving the loss of function they once took for granted."

 

During their careers, the graduates will witness a range of people experience complex emotions, including gratitude, frustration, hope, and despair, she said. 

 

"Some will thank you profusely. Others may express their pain in ways that make your work and your life more difficult," Kennedy said. 

 

"Through it all, you will rely on the knowledge, skills, and compassion you've developed in this program, which you will continue to refine in practice and professional growth. You will represent the very best of what Berkshire Community College has to offer."

 

The celebration marks their transition from students to practitioners into the "incredibly rewarding field," said Nicole Tucker, PTA program coordinator.